Tugade conducted a yearend inspection of the projects and demanded at least partial operability of the trains by 2021

Thus, was the message of President Rodrigo Duterte to all Filipinos as he cited the huge responsibility of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as protector of the people and the state, particularly during difficult times.

Speaking at the 84th founding anniversary of the AFP on Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Duterte, who is also the Commander-in-Chief, acknowledged the 130,000-strong military for its readiness to respond in any eventuality “be it security matter or disaster.”

The President urged the Filipino public to rally behind the AFP.

“Our soldiers are the soldiers of the nation, helpers of the nation, they are the runners and everything. Just like during the earthquake in Mindanao, they were there. When there is flood, they are there. When the volcano erupts, they are the first to respond,” Mr. Duterte said.

“If there is disorder, they establish order. If there is a lawless environment, they provide stability. The soldiers are our soldiers, they are everything and that is why you should love your soldier. All of us Filipinos, let’s help them,” he added.

The President said the government is fighting “a war for the survival of our nation.”

The President said that only recently, the AFP proved its readiness to serve the Filipino people and the nation during the series of earthquakes that hit Mindanao and floodings in the Visayas and Luzon.

“Know that for your selfless service during these times of need, the entire nation will be grateful,” said Mr. Duterte, who is known to be close to the military.

Mr. Duterte was responsible for doubling the salary of both police and military establishments. On Tuesday, he vowed his continuous “unqualified support” to the AFP.

He asked the troops to remain committed in their duty as the primary force in ensuring lasting peace across the country.

“The Filipino people will continue to count on you, each one of you, to remain steadfast in your noble mission to defend our sovereignty and maintain peace in our communities and you should not fail,” he added.

The President directed the AFP to crush all enemies of the state and stop the proliferation of illegal drugs.

“We have to assure that the next generation will be freed of these vagaries of life, especially drugs for it will affect the quality of our nation tomorrow,” Mr. Duterte said.

“We cannot afford to get something like one-fourth of the population disoriented, insane because of drugs. It is our sworn duty to protect them,” he further said.

Currently, the AFP is still addressing threats coming from the communist New People’s Army (NPA), the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group and other private armed groups involved in kidnapping and drug trafficking.

Apart from combating security threats, the President also rallied the AFP leadership to fight corruption.

“As this administration continues to intensify efforts to eradicate the ills that still plague our society, I trust that the AFP will also fight corruption within its halls through internal reforms that will not only improve the financial state of our soldiers, but also develop their character, competence and capacity to fulfill their mandate,” said Mr. Duterte.

Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman, quickly expressed the military’s appreciation to the Commander in Chief’s recognition to the AFP.

Arevalo described Mr. Duterte’s message as powerful and inspiring for the troops to perform better.

“We feel immensely proud to hear how the C-in-C (Commander-in-Chief) President Rodrigo Duterte sees and appreciates us he calls, ‘Soldiers of the Filipino nation,” said Arevalo in a message to reporters.

“His powerful message exhorting the people to ‘Love your soldiers’ inspires us to do more, fires us to win more and empowers us to exceed expectations,” he added.